Design Thinking for Innovation in Global Development
This course provides an introduction to design thinking for sustainable development. Participants will gain an introduction to the design thinking process, methods, tools, and mindsets, and experience and reflect on them through application to a real sustainable development challenge.
Registration opens November 2nd, 2026
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and registrations will close at course capacity
Duration: 26.04.–28.04.2027
Teaching format: Classroom
Course objective:
The Sustainable Development Goals are ambitious. Addressing them will require creativity, innovation and new approaches. Design thinking is human-centred, iterative, and encourages us to step out of our typical modes of thinking. This course provides an introduction to design thinking for sustainable development.
Participants will gain an introduction to the design thinking process, methods, tools, and mindsets, and will experience and reflect on them through application to real sustainable development challenges. Participants will also learn from case studies that have effectively used design thinking and discuss where and how the methods can be applied to sustainable development initiatives.
Key topics:
- The iterative design thinking process
- Design thinking tools and methods — theory and practical application
- Design thinking mindset
- Case studies of sustainable development projects that have used a design thinking approach
- Where and how design thinking can be applied to sustainable development initiatives
ECTS points: 2
Examination: Written assignment completed during the course
Course fee: CHF 570
Lecturers:
- Jasmine Neve, NADEL
Sustainable Development Goal
Managing Projects and Processes